Alex stepped out of the modest clothing store carrying two shopping bags in one hand. A small smile rested on his face as he lowered his eyes to look at the bags. For the first time since arriving at the university that morning, he felt a sense of relief settling over him.The clothes he had just purchased were exactly what he had been searching for. They were simple, comfortable and most importantly, they were ordinary enough that nobody would give them a second glance."These are much better," Alex quietly murmured to himself as he adjusted his grip on the shopping bags. "Starting tomorrow, I can finally dress like a normal student again instead of attracting everyone's attention."As he continued walking, he reached into his trouser pocket and carefully slipped his bank card inside. He pushed it farther into the pocket with his fingers before gently patting the outside to make sure it was properly secured."I definitely don't want this falling out somewhere," he muttered quietly.

Alex remained seated on the couch with his phone still in his hand.The notification was still displayed on the screen. It had come from the school's platform.Curious, he tapped on it, and the page opened almost immediately. A bold announcement appeared at the top of the screen.NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTSThe election process for the Student Union President has officially commenced. The names of all approved candidates will be published on campus tomorrow morning. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the list before the official campaign period begins. Further information regarding the election schedule will be announced in due course.Alex quietly read through the announcement from beginning to end. When he finished reading, he simply stared at the screen for a few moments.His expression remained completely indifferent."The student president election?" He slowly shook his head. "I don't really care about any of that."He had never been interested in student politics.

Alex stared at the committee members in complete disbelief. For several long moments, he simply stood there without saying a single word.His mind struggled to process everything they had just told him. Finally, he slowly shook his head."I'm sorry," he said quietly, "but I don't understand."He looked from one committee member to another, hoping someone would give him an explanation that actually made sense."My name is on the list of candidates, and I don't want to contest the election. I'm standing here in person, asking all of you to remove my name."He slowly spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "So why can't you simply remove it?"The committee member sitting closest to him let out a quiet sigh before answering. "Mr. Hayes, if this had been an ordinary nomination, we could have handled your request immediately."The man folded his hands neatly on top of the desk before explaining. "The vast majority of students whose names appear on the list either nominated themselves or wer

The students surrounding them immediately burst into another round of laughter."He's right.""Daniel has practically won the election already.""What chance does Alex even have against someone like him?"Alex remained completely still. Although his face showed almost no emotion, countless thoughts were colliding inside his mind.Only a few minutes earlier, he had walked out of the election committee office with only one goal in mind.He wanted to find Mr. Malcolm and convince him to withdraw the recommendation and have his name removed from the list of candidates.That was all he had wanted.But now...Daniel's words continued echoing repeatedly inside his mind."You don't belong anywhere near this election."He slowly tightened both of his hands into fists until his fingernails pressed firmly into his palms.A strange feeling gradually rose inside him. It was anger. Real anger.Something in his eyes had changed, and Daniel noticed it almost immediately.He frowned slightly before lo

Daniel and the other candidates stood near the side of the stage as the university's central auditorium buzzed with excitement.The spacious auditorium was packed from the front row to the very back. Every seat had been occupied long before the event was scheduled to begin, while hundreds of students who had arrived late remained standing along the walls and at the rear of the hall.The atmosphere was electric.Conversations echoed from every direction as students eagerly discussed the Student Union presidential election."I heard Daniel Foster is definitely going to win."The whispers continued spreading through the auditorium until a sharp sound echoed through the speakers.Almost immediately, the conversations died down.A man dressed in a navy-blue suit walked confidently onto the stage with a wireless microphone in his hand.He smiled warmly as he looked around the auditorium. "Good afternoon, everyone.""Good afternoon!" the students answered."My name is Professor Raymond Colli